Suspension/shocky's

[Kappy]

Hi All.

Back from my test run to Hedland, even repaired my broken trailer and now she's home.

Gotta plan out the trailer for optimum space use etc.

Couple of jobs on the Bus, like sack the suburban gas water heater, thinking a Rinnai Infinity.

However on my return I have noticed a bit of a sag to the left side on the Bus.

I'm pretty new to this heavy gear, but hasten to say the bus shockies are probably original, so may need replacing.

I know shockies really only absorb bumps but I ask anyway.

I suspects maybe some spring adjusting may in order, I feel this is a big job.

My question is has anyone added air suspension to a big rig and if so, hints on cost comparison to ripping out springs etc.

Considering adding some sort of shock system to my trailer, that's tandem axle and rated to 4.5 tonne.

Looking forward to constructive advise.

Cheers
Kappy

[native pepper]

G'day Kappy, without looking at it, could be either a broken spring leaf, or broken mount. The shockers make no difference to the height of the bus over the wheels. As for air bags, you don't remove the springs, the air bags act as supports and a better ride. Good use for them is when a bus has a low under body clearance, you can use them to life the body up if negotiating places or roads that may clash with the under body of your bus.

If it's a spring broken, it will probably be a big job, if a shackle, not so big. Getting the spring out is the hardest thing as they are extremely heavy on buses, take some photo's as they will show what the problem is and would help anyone diagnosing your problem.

[jon_d]

Big job,

before doing air bags (which can break/buckle the chassis rails becuase of the fulcrum effect), it would be best to get everything sorted out first.

Shockers don't carry any weight.


Check if the shackles are truly vertical or leaning. not front to back, but side to side)
This will give an indication if the pins and bushes are worn.


Check for angles and compare to each side.

Check weights on each wheel

Check actual height of chassis rail and not the body.

You need to eliminate visual effects. I've was chasing a 30mm difference once until I realised the front bumper mount was bent. Took me two years to work that out.

[BruceS]

Maybe just move that wine rack over the other side?
All the years of going down roads with leaning to the left has probably caused it.
A truck suspension specialist like http://www.hancockandjust.com.au will soon assess & fix it for a handful of $$$$$

[Newcastle George]

More like a BAG full of $$$$$

George

[T1 Terry]

If you were any where near the Illawarra area of NSW I'd say take it to Illawarra Springs in Port Kembla, they are the best bar none, they will arrange the whole job including remove and replace and reset/repair the spring packs as required. New shocks will increase spring life and new springs sure hi light crap shocks. Air bags will soften the ride but they will not fix un even spring tension, only make it worse as the air pressure will equal side to side and shift some of the load onto the weak spring side from the strong spring side. Independent air bags will level the ride but make cornering a hazard, the weight shift from the weak side when on the inside of the turn is amplified by the increased pressure in the air bag causing body roll that you didn't have before.
Shocks on the trailer, one of the best investments in $$ and time you could think of, the improvement in reliability and tyre life as well as reduced damage to stuff iside the trailer will pay you back many times what you invest

[Dot]

Maybe just move that wine rack over the other side?
All the years of going down roads with leaning to the left has probably caused it.
A truck suspension specialist like http://www.hancockandjust.com.au will soon assess & fix it for a handful of $$$$$

Hancock & just are worth every cent they charge because they are the best of them all. We had been told that our steering box needed to have a kit fitted but when they went to do the job they rang us to say we didn't need that doing so they did the essential adjustments and saved us nearly 2k. We have been dealing with them since our winnie 1998 went to them. Pay peanuts you get monkeys. Very content with their service. Move the wine rack ?? I bet he has a complete still in there.